A.D.C.
The early programmes are a little confusing on the point, for actors playing ladies' parts adopted female names. Of one thing we may have no reasonable doubt: the lady bold enough to thus storm the citadel of Hong-kong propriety would do so in her own name. Eliminating therefore Miss Fitzblushington, Miss Siwell, Miss Gay, Miss Dolly Varden and other obvious impersonators prior to 1880, we have little difficulty in identifying the intrepid pioneer in Mrs. Philip Bernard. Appropriately enough, she faced the uplifted eyebrows of mildly shocked society in The School for Scandal in December 1879. Her second appearance was in "The Porter's Knot" in March, also as 'Mrs. Hockey', but we cannot deduce from this that Mrs. Bernard's bold venture inspired an early follower. 'Hockey' was the stage name of Attwell Coxon, who was regularly cast in all productions of the period, and it is fairly certain that 'Mrs. Hockey' was none other than Mr. Coxon in a female part.
Bluebeard Burlesque
Mrs. Bernard, a few years later, went to London and became a professional actress. What measure of success she achieved in that less conventional circle we do not know. In September 1883, the A.D.C. staged a 'Farewell Performance to Mrs. Bernard.' This was "She Stoops to Conquer" - a rather appropriate choice. There were two other ladies in the cast, Mrs. Chervau and Mrs. Fraser. Since that performance, all female parts in A.D.C. productions have been played by ladies. Some time, perhaps, the name of Mrs. Philip Bernard will be written in gold in some prominent place on the Peak, for she made our stage respectable for ladies in polite society.
At a much later period of our history - in fact, within my own recollection - the pendulum swung in the opposite direction. The producer was required by the rules to submit to the Committee the names of the members of his proposed cast for deliberation as to whether they were or were not ladies and gentlemen received in general society. Nowadays, of course, we are merely players, though some of us, thank God, manage to keep up an appearance of respectability.
The earliest programme in the Club collection is "The Fourth Representation of the Season 1867-68, being the Farce 'My Wife's Maid,' concluding with the Burlesque 'Bluebeard from a New Point of Hue.' Presented with the Most Reckless Extravagance in the Shape of Guards, Guests, Spahis and Dervishes, including a Grand Turkish Ballet featuring Senora Maca Leoda, Senora M'Organa, Senora Sloppia, Senoar Azelle and Senora Apartementa.